Microfluidics has emerged as a transformative technology that bridges the gap between traditional laboratory techniques and cutting-edge biological research. We have invited world-leading multidisciplinary experts to talk and discuss recent research progress on microfluidics for sensing (e.g. rapid and low-cost sensors) and sequencing, e.g. single-cell sequencing even for biomedical diagnostics, environmental and public health. The emerging technology could be potentially employed for wastewater surveillance for early warning of public health and pandemic preparedness, as well as providing useful tools to better understand the mechanism of the evolution and transmission of antibiotic resistance among plant, animal and human health, such as horizontal gene transfer and host-phage infection. During the event, we are encouraging early-career researchers and students to engage with world-leading scientists.

Everyone interested in this research area is welcome to attend the symposium for exchange and developing research ideas, and future collaborations.

  • , Harvard University, USA
  • Prof Yongguan Zhu, Research Centre for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • , Harvard Medical School, USA
  • , Zhejiang University, China
  • , Imperial College London, UK
  • , Hong Kong University, China
  • Prof Li Cui, Institute of Urban Environment-CAS, China

Speaker bios

Event poster

Download the event poster

Event programme

09:30-10:00 Registration and coffee
10:00-10:10 Welcome and overview of Cranfield advanced sensors laboratory - Prof Zhugen Yang
10:10-11:00 Plenary talk - Prof David Weitz - High sensitivity diagnostics with droplet microfluidic devices
11:00-11:30 Session 1, talk 1: Prof Li Cui, Single-cell Raman spectroscopy sensing antibiotic resistance, pathogens, and beneficial microbes in environments
11:30-11:45 Session 1, talk 2: Dr Hao Pei, Single-cell sequencing: New strategies and perspective on microbiome research
11:45-12:00 Session 1, talk 4: Dr Carla Spatola Rossi, Development of a low-cost paper-based sensor for detection of live pathogens in water
12:00-12:15 Session 1, talk 3: Dr Yang Liu, Alternative strategies for designing nucleic acid biosensors: DNA recognition based on the OMEGA systems
12:15-12:30 Session 1, talk 5: Qingxin Hui, CRISPR/Cas-enabled paper-microfluidic device for new variant detection
12:30-12:40 Session 1, talk 6: Cara Hall, Overview on Qiagen
12:40-13:30 Lunch break
13:30-14:00 Session 2, talk 1: Prof Anderson Shum, Droplets for single-cell-based interactions and sequence-specific properties
14:00- 14.30 Session 2, talk 2: Prof Baojun Wang, Synthetic biology enables new paradigm of biosensing
14:30- 15.00 Session 2, talk 3: Dr Firat Guder, Intelligent interfaces for improving the food system
15:00-16:00 Panel discussion - How to make a successful start-up?
16:00-16:15 Concluding remarks and closure
16:15-17:30 Network drinking and free discussion OR Tour national water and wastewater facilities advanced sensor lab

Location and travel details

Stafford Cripps, 老司机福利社

Lecture Room 3

How to find us

Who should attend

Early career researchers, academics, students interested in microfluidics for single cell sensing and sequencing or related areas.

Cost

Free to join.